It’s probably more common now for people to talk abut RSI (repetitive strain injury) which encompasses far more than the specific diagnosis of carpel tunnel. Additionally, there was a sharp increase in diagnosis between in the ‘80s and ‘90s, which is probably why many people now in early middle age remember that particular problem.
This study has quite a bit of information about incidence over time and says that even though diagnosis is still increasing, surgery rates have declined. This is probably because we’ve gotten better about diagnosing RSI issues before they get bad enough to necessitate surgery. In the study, they mention several times that older patients tend to have worse injuries.
This bit directly addresses mainstream news reporting:
Only if you’re holding your hands wrong, but “you’re doing it wrong” is a factor behind a looooot of RSIs. My typing teacher emphasized positioning and changing position slightly through the typing period in ways specifically aimed to reduce injury, but not everybody had her to teach them. I find that most computer keyboards force me into a worse position than my Olivetti.